BI intercepts female human trafficking victim at Naia

(INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)

MANILA, Philippines — Another victim of human trafficking was intercepted by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), said the agency on Friday.

The victim, a 46-year-old woman, was intercepted by immigration officers at Naia Terminal 3 on Oct. 27 while about to board a flight to Macau.

The BI said the victim initially presented herself as a former overseas Filipino worker (OFW) traveling to Macau as a tourist, but eventually admitted that she intended to work in Macau without proper documentation.

She admitted being promised easy immigration and documentation assistance through Facebook for P40,000.

What the victim did not know, however, was that it would involve a fake departure stamp on her passport.

“The BI’s forensic documents laboratory confirmed that the stamp presented was indeed counterfeit,” said the BI in a statement.

The victim has since been turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking for assistance in filing cases against her recruiters.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado warned aspiring OFWs against fraudulent immigration assistance packages.

“It’s alarming to observe that this scheme remains widespread. While these offers might seem enticing to unsuspecting victims, any assurance of success with minimal effort should raise immediate red flags,” he said.